Engine oil degrades over time due to heat and contaminants in the engine. When the oil breaks down, it loses its ability to lubricate and cool down the engine components. You should get an oil change at your Kia dealership to keep your engine running smoothly.
How Often Should You Get an Oil Change at Your Kia Dealership?
Your owner’s manual specifies the right service interval based on your Kia’s engine, oil type, and expected driving conditions. However, the recommended service interval isn’t a fixed rule. You should always look out for these signs that your oil needs to be changed:
- Dark or dirty oil
- Low oil level on the dipstick
- Overheating engine
- Grinding sounds in the engine
- Excessive exhaust smoke
If you notice these signs, schedule an oil service, even if you haven’t clocked the specified miles. Use the type of oil recommended in your owner’s manual to optimize the engine’s performance.
What Factors Determine the Right Intervals for Changing Engine Oil?
Type of Motor Oil
Kia recommends fully synthetic oil for newer models because the oil has superior heat resistance and anti-oxidation properties. The oil lasts between 7,500 and 10,000 miles before needing to be changed. Options like synthetic blends and conventional oils aren’t as resilient as fully synthetic oils. If you use them, you will need an oil service sooner.
Driving Habits
Your driving habits can also affect how quickly your engine oil deteriorates. If you make frequent short trips, the oil doesn’t get a chance to fully heat up and burn off moisture and impurities. You need to change the oil more frequently to maintain its effectiveness.
Driving conditions like towing, off-roading, idling for long periods, and driving in extreme temperatures can also cause the oil to break down faster. If you subject your Kia to these severe conditions, check the oil regularly and change it at the first sign of degradation.
Why Should You Change Engine Oil on Time?
Maintain Engine Efficiency
Fresh oil reduces friction and cools down the moving engine parts. This allows the engine to operate at peak efficiency without working harder than necessary. Change your oil regularly to enjoy improved engine performance and better gas mileage.
Protect Engine Components
Engine oil lubricates parts like bearings, pistons, and valve trains and protects them from friction. If the oil loses its lubrication properties, it will no longer protect the parts. This can cause overheating and premature wear. Changing the oil regularly prevents premature damage and prolongs the engine’s life.
Prevent Costly Repairs
Regular oil services keep your engine’s core components protected and well-maintained. You will experience fewer issues and failures over time, meaning repair costs will be minimal. During your oil service, our technicians will also fix minor problems before they snowball into costly repairs.
An oil service is an inexpensive maintenance task that will earn you miles of reliable performance. Contact Kia of West Chester in West Chester, PA to schedule a service today.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.